Prior oral exposure to environmental immunosuppressive chemicals methoxychlor, parathion, or piperonyl butoxide aggravates allergic airway inflammation in NC/Nga mice

Abstract

BackgroundImmunosuppressive environmental chemicals may increase the potency of allergens and thereby play a role in the development of respiratory tract allergies, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. ObjectivesWe investigated the association between environmental immunosuppressive chemicals and the allergic airway inflammation development. MethodsWe used a mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic airway inflammation. NC/Nga mice were exposed orally to pesticides parathion (an organophosphate compound) or methoxychlor (an organochlorine compound), or to an insecticide synergist piperonyl butoxide, prior to OVA intraperitoneal sensitization and inhalation challenge. We assessed serum IgE levels, B-cell counts, cytokine production, IgE production in hilar lymph nodes, eosinophil counts, chemokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and cytokine gene expression in the lung. ResultsExposure to environmental immunosuppressive chemicals markedly increased serum IgE – IgE-positive B-cells, IgE and cytokines in lymph nodes – eosinophils and chemokines in BALF – IL-10a and IL-17 in the lung. ConclusionsAllergic airway inflammation can be aggravated by prior exposure to immunosuppressive environmental chemicals.